Page 385 - Demo
P. 385
From Breuckelen To Pork SlopeChurch Celebrates Its 325thBY IRENE VAN SLYKEThe town was called Breucklen, the Mayor was Peter Stuyvesant and Dominee Johannes Theodorus Polhemus was preaching to an organized religious congregation which now, 325 years later is still in existence.On Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4 pm, the Old First Reformed Church in Park Slope will celebrate its 325th anniversary and messages of congratulations have been received from President Jimmy Carter, Governor Hugh Carey and Mayor Koch, among others to mark the historic event. The guest of honor that day will be the Consul General of the Netherlands, Honorable Quarles Van Ufford, and perhaps Governor Carey, say church officials.Back in the 1600%u2019s, the church did not have an auspicious beeinning. The congregation worshipped under the trees, then in a barn at the Fulton Ferry site. When the congregation became too large it divided itself into thirds, a downtown congregation, a Flatlands group and the Flatbush Reformed congregation.In 1666, a church building was erected on what is now the location of the present Abraham & Straus department store on Fulton Street. With a growing membership, the church moved to a larger structure on Joralemon St., and then as the area became a largely commercial sector, in 1890, the present church was built on Seventh Avenue and Carroll Street, designed by thenfashionable architect George L.Baritone Robert Merrill (left) will open the BrooklynPhilharmonia in a operatic program of works by Mozart andVerdi, at BAM Oct. 26-28. Mezzo-soprano Jan Curtis (right) willopen the %u201c Meet the Moderns%u201d program series on Nov. 1,performing works by Charles Ives, Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake.Cal! 636-4100 for more information. (Jos Abeles Photos)Morse, who also designed the Brooklyn Eagle building.The cathedral-like granite and limestone exterior of the Park Slope Victorian Gothic structure may inspire a reverence for tradition with its 212 foot spire, its vaulted ceilings, gold leafed pulpit, oak pews and stained glass windows by Tiffany, but Pastor Stephen Giordano emphasizes %u201cWe are not a church trapped in the past. We are very much in the present and we%u2019re a real spiritual and cultural center for the Park Slope community.%u201dThe programs offered today by the %u201c Old First%u201d Reformed Church are as varied as its membership, which embraces people who were once identified as Presbyterians, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists. Giordano, the pastor, says he himself converted to the Protestant faith from Catholicism, while names such as Van Sicklcn or Schuylkill, some of the original worshippers, have disappeared.The church sponsors concerts; a Singles Fellowship program; is home to the %u201c Gallery Players,%u201d a theatre group in Park Slope; a parent cooperative nursery school; and is a leader in Park Slope Together, a coalition of community groups. %u2022Earlier this year, the Flatbush Reformed Church celebrated its share of (he original church%u2019s 325th anniversary with Mayor Koch in attendance. Since all three present congregations, the Park Slope, Flatlands and Flatbush Reformed Churches spring from the one original at the old Fulton Ferry site, Mayor Koch is not expected to the Park Slope celebration. However, Rev. Giordano says,and Carroll St., with the church%u2019s first brick building, built on thepresent A&S site, pictured as it looked in 1666.Governor Carey is making an attempt to come to his home district for the special service.Earlier this year, the Flatbush Reformed Church celebrated its share of the original church%u2019s 325th anniversary with Mayor Koch in attendance. Since all three present congregations, the Park Slope, Flatlands and Flatbush Reformed Churches spring from the original one at the Old Fulton Ferry site, Mayor Koch is not expected at the Park Slope celebration. However, Rev. Giordano says Governor Carey is making an attempt to come to his home district for the special service.An historical display will befeatured in Fellowship Hall on the day of the commemoration with works by early American silversmiths and 17th century books. There will be performances by a five-piece brass ensemble and choirs from several of Brooklyn%u2019s churches.On the same day. October 28, Reformation Sunday, Brooklyn%u2019s 15 Reformed Churches are meeting in a Synod and will add a 16th church, the Borough Park Community Reformed Church, showing that the Chruch is still growing, 325 years after the first congregation was founded on the shores of the East River.I M R .AUL-SECURITYROGER SCHILL1ZZISA Y SCOMPARE OUR SERVICESAll Security%u202224 hour emergency Service%u2022Saturday store hours %u2022 1 year guarantee on parts and labor %u20225 licensed iocksmiths %u2022Sorry we don%u2019t sharpen scissorsOur Newest Competitor%u2022When his door closes so does his business %u2022Closed Saturdays %u202290 day guarantee %u20222 licensed men %u2022O ur competitor doesA T T E N T IO N N E WM O V E -IN SCheck with yourneighbor as to whohas been doing theirlock-w ork for th epast 8 yearsC o m p a re s e r v ic eand prices - that%u2019sall we askROGER SCHILLIZZI,PRES.R b u r5 (M iiii rfA U 'ifC V R tT YU > C K * H iT H S i siOCMifXl U Pvp'wnijA ll S e c u ritytsa %u25a0%u25a081 Pineapple Walt 6244177-624-8U6ComingThe firstA nnuala>cX c. %u00a3 < / > > >C C V <|)%u00a3 0 0 5A ttia OThe first complete guide to Brooklyn%u2019s downtown Brownstone n e ighb orhoods. A ready reference book for residents and those that hope to know about Brownstone Broklyn to make life easier and living more enjoyable.If you have abusiness service tosell to BrownstoneBrooklyn you willwant youradvertising in thisfirst everBrownstone Brooklyn Guide. One adlasts all year long.For rates and space inform ation, callBinni Ipcar, 643-1240 or te %u2019k to your Phoenix d play advertising jpresentative.Serving Brooklyn Hts.Cobble Hill andDowntown Brooklyn115 Atlantic Avenuenear Henry St.624-1398^ A F r i e n d .The award-winningPHOENIX makes an ideal holidayoresent for a friend in need,the relatives who think liv ng in Brooklyn is strange, or the person who has everv-th ng. Please list name and add' g SN^ those you are giving Th%u00ae and your name for o u r gift card, and send S%u00bb-*%u00b0 per s u b s c rip t PHOENIX,395 Atlantic Ave.,Brooklyn, 11217If you%u2019re self-employed, this brochure could be worth a %u2019 7 ,5 0 0tax deductionIt covers a wealth of information about new HR-10 benefits Amongotherthmgs.it explains how you can set aside up to $7,500 on a tax-deductible basisusach year In fen questions and answers it explains the tax retirement benefits involved and how to use them to your best advantage r-. %u2022C :\your free copyJames H. Dean 430 Park Ave.N. Y., N.Y. 10022Please send me my complimentary copy of your guide to the new HR-10 lawName_______________________nAddressCity____Slate ZipO ctober 25,1979, The PHOcNIX, Page 15

